Sipapu Kicks Off Ski Season Saturday!

Sipapu preparing for opening day. Photo by Albert Graves

Sipapu ready for opening day. Photo by Albert Graves

SKI News:

VADITO – Ski enthusiasts can make their first turns of the season in New Mexico when Sipapu Ski and Summer Resort opens at 9 a.m. this Saturday, Nov. 19, signifying the 14th consecutive season that Sipapu has opened before any other ski area in the state.

While other resorts have had to delay their openings due to unseasonably warm weather this fall, Sipapu’s investment in additional snowmaking infrastructure, coupled with cooler temperatures, has helped crews make snow and allow Sipapu to be the first to open for ski season.

“Sipapu is able to open this Saturday, once again as the first resort open for the season in New Mexico, because of our dedicated snowmaking team,” says John Paul Bradley, Sipapu’s mountain manager.  “Our team was willing to wait patiently for temperatures to be favorable, staying up all night to make snow even for just a few hours when the opportunity arose.”

Sipapu’s snowmaking crew began making snow last week and was able to produce snow almost every night since last Thursday. These efforts help establish a good base to supplement what Mother Nature provides throughout the entire season.

“Over the past 15 years, we’ve been able to learn a lot about the mountain,” Bradley said.  “We’re able to maximize our snowmaking efforts by investing in our snowmaking infrastructure and installing lifts, such as our newest quad, Lift 5 in strategic locations that can provide a great skier experience for opening day.”  

On tap for opening day!  Sipapu will open its quad chairlift, installed last year, which services popular beginner and intermediate trails.  Additional information on terrain and terrain park features for opening weekend will be provided Friday, check out the Snow Report for details. Ski and Ride School will offer lessons on some of the best teaching terrain on the mountain. Guests are encouraged to book lessons in advance by calling 800.587.2240.  Representatives from Sierra Nevada Brewery will provide giveaways and samples of their craft beer. 

Discounted lift tickets are available this weekend: $29 adults (24-59), $25 students (13-23), and $19 for kids (ages 7-12) and seniors (ages 61-69).  Kids ages 6 and younger, and guests who are ages 40, 60 or 70 years and better receive a free lift ticket everyday of the season. Kids in fourth and fifth grades also get a free lift ticket simply by presenting a report card.

Sipapu will open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19 through Monday, Nov. 28. The ski area will then temporarily suspend operations to allow mountain operations crews to continue making snow in order to open additional terrain. Daily operations at the ski area begin Friday, Dec. 2. 

Skiers and snowboarders may purchase Power Pass season passes that provide unlimited access to all five resorts located all within a convenient drive of each other.  Also on sale are the New Mexico Pass Plus and New Mexico Pass, both of which offer unlimited skiing at Pajarito Mountain and Sipapu, with benefits at other partner resorts. Season Pass sales end today, Nov. 18.

For additional information, visit www.SipapuNM.com.

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